Thousands of illegal immigrants are granted settlement every year

May 16, 2011

Figures just released in a Parliamentary answer[1] show that, under a concession introduced by Labour in 2003, nearly 9,000 illegal immigrants have been granted permanent residence in Britain with full access to the Welfare State. Another 22,600 attained permanent residence after 10 years legal residence in Britain.

The figures show that the numbers granted residence have climbed significantly in the last three years. They may well climb further when Labour’s immigration boom has its full effect.

Commenting, Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch UK said “These numbers will need careful watching. The government are now requiring students to show progression before they can extend their visas but there will be a backlog of “professional students” who will still be able to claim permanent settlement. The concession for illegal immigrants should be reviewed. It amounts to a slow motion amnesty. There is no reason why illegal residence in Britain, however long, should qualify someone to the full benefits of the Welfare State.”

Note to Editors:

1 Parliamentary Answer Number 54384, Column 1110W of 10th May 2011

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were granted leave to remain after (a) 10 years legal residence and (b) 14 years illegal residence in the UK in each year between 1997 and 2010. [54384]

Damian Green: The following table shows the number of people granted leave to remain after making a long residency application for (a) 10 year legal residence and (b) 14 years illegal residence in the UK covering the period 1April 2003 to the 31 December 2010. The figures are separated by the year in which a decision was made.

The provision to grant indefinite leave to remain (ILR) on the basis of 14 year long term residence, along with that of 10 year long term residence, was introduced into the immigration rules in April 2003. Therefore we are unable to provide data prior to this date.

Number of individuals granted leave to remain

(a) 10 year legal residence

(b) 14 year illegal residence

Total

2003 (from April)

2,043

952

2,995

2004

2,260

781

3,041

2005

2,581

730

3,311

2006

3,391

799

4,190

2007

2,411

949

3,360

2008

2,148

902

3,050

2009

3,042

2,061

5,103

2010

4,759

1,774

6,533

22,635

8,948

31,583

Note: All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols.